Cowboys in the Community: OSUIT, Main Street, and the Transformation of Okmulgee’s Downtown

On Saturday, the streets of Okmulgee were transformed with the help of over 3,000 volunteers from OSU Institute of Technology (OSUIT) wearing bright orange in support of Oklahoma State University’s new service project – State of Orange: A Day of Cowboy Service. Led by OSU President Kayse Shrum, the group showcased how OSU’s land-grant mission and Cowboy Code go beyond the classroom and into the community.

In Okmulgee, OSUIT collaborated with Okmulgee Main Street to revitalize the downtown area. The group focused on three specific projects to breathe new life into the heart of the town. More than 45 volunteers worked diligently weeding, planting colorful flowers, and relocating the beloved ‘umbrella alley’ to a new spot closer to the town square.

Kamie Crawford, director of Student Life at OSUIT and president of the Okmulgee Main Street board, expressed that pairing these two groups for the State of Orange – Cowboy Day of Service felt like a natural fit. The partnership allowed OSUIT to contribute to the community while supporting Main Street’s efforts to enhance the downtown area.

Volunteers from various local organizations, including First Family Federal Credit Union, Main Street board members, and the local Boy Scouts joined forces with OSUIT and Okmulgee Main Street to work on these projects. One volunteer, Rusty Milroy, noted that it was amazing what happened when many hands worked together towards a common goal. The collaborative effort resulted in a beautiful transformation of Okmulgee’s downtown area.

Overall, this event showed how OSU’s land-grant mission and Cowboy Code can be applied in real-life situations beyond just academics. It also highlighted how important it is for people from different organizations and backgrounds to come together for a common cause in order to create positive change in their communities.